DESTIN, Fla. -- Kirby Smart sounded ready to be done with the Southeastern Conference's great schedule debate.

"The most overrated conversation in the world," the Georgia coach said Tuesday.

As is tradition, the Southeastern Conference took over a resort hotel on the Florida Gulf Coast for its spring meetings this week. The hottest topic is what the nation's toughest football conference plans to do with its schedule starting in the 2024 season when Texas and Oklahoma join to make it a 16-team league with no divisions.

The options are sticking with an eight-game slate but shifting to one annual rivalry game instead of the current two, or going to nine games with three annual rivals. The SEC has been trying to figure this out for more than a year.

"I'm a history teacher by trade," Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz told reporters. "And every time I come to one of these meetings I'm blown away that the 13 colonies actually formed a union, but we can't agree on an eight- or nine-game schedule."

Either way, punting divisions fixes one big problem for the SEC: infrequent meetings between some league members.

The most glaring example: Texas A&M has played Georgia just once since joining the SEC in 2012, and the Aggies are still awaiting a visit to College Station by the Bulldogs.

"Four years, you will play everybody, home and away," said Smart, whose team has won two straight national titles. "I get the traditional rivalries, you have three, you have two, you have one. You have this, you have that. You guys need something to write about bad when you start talking about this."

Despite Smart's ambivalence, the eight-or-nine conversation does matter a lot to fans.

With an eight-game schedule that protects only one annual opponent, Auburn-Georgia -- the Deep South's oldest rivalry, played 127 times -- Alabama-Tennessee and maybe the renewal of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry are among the notable matchups likely to become every-other-year games.

Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher said when the Longhorns arrive, he would like Texas A&M's annual rival to be Texas. But that would mean shelving Texas-Oklahoma every other year.

"LSU's become a great rivalry for us," Fisher said. "But as you go traditional rivalries of A&M you'd say Texas."

While LSU coach Brian Kelly stopped short of fully committing to a number of conference games, he said he wouldn't want to give up playing Alabama every year, and the only way to do that would be with a nine-game conference schedule.

The SEC football coaches and athletic directors met separately on Tuesday and will gather together Wednesday with the hope of finally coming to a decision before meetings wrap up on Friday.

Drinkwitz is one of the few coaches to take a stand, siding with nine.

Kentucky's Mark Stoops is probably the most vocal supporter of sticking with eight, noting that the school's annual in-state rivalry with Louisville of the Atlantic Coast Conference means the Wildcats are already locked into at least nine games against Power 5 opponents.

"I'm a history teacher by trade. And every time I come to one of these meetings I'm blown away that the 13 colonies actually formed a union, but we can't agree on an eight- or nine-game schedule."

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz

There is no guarantee the schedule question will be settled this week. Commissioner Greg Sankey has said there is still time for more consideration. He even acknowledged the possibility of a short-term solution, landing on a model but with a commitment to it for only a year or two.

Sankey met with football coaches Tuesday to discuss a multitude of topics, including the schedule.

"I sensed a trust level in our decision-making process," Sankey said.

Alabama coach Nick Saban has promoted playing schedules with nothing but Power 5 schools and seemed to be a supporter of nine conference games over the past year.

Now, he seems concerned about what it might mean for Alabama's nonconference schedule in coming years. The Tide have home-and-home series with Wisconsin, Florida State, Ohio State and Notre Dame -- among others -- scheduled between 2024 and 2030.

"If we go to nine games, we'll have to unwind that," Saban said. "My deal has always been to play more SEC games because we couldn't get more people to schedule. So now I think there are more people who are willing to schedule. So having a balance is probably most important."

Sankey has said he would like to "land the plane" this week, but he also recalled the last time the SEC expanded. Texas A&M and Missouri were granted membership in the fall of 2011 and began playing in 2012, giving the conference less than a year to figure out the football schedule.

"So we got a lot of reserves in the wings of that airplane," Sankey said. "But we're going to be more timely than that."

PARIS -- As she plots her 2023 French Open charge, Coco Gauff has been taking inspiration from the confidence of Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat's improbable run to the NBA Finals.

Gauff overcame a tricky first-round matchup with Rebeka Masarova 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Tuesday and said the Heat's resilience helped her. Miami built a 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals before the Boston Celtics rallied to force a Game 7. On Monday night, the Heat crushed the Celtics 103-84 to win the series.

"Honestly, today, I told myself if Jimmy Butler didn't freak out when they were up 3-0 and all of a sudden it's 3-all, then I shouldn't freak out after losing the first set," Gauff said on court after her win.

Since the game started at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning in Paris, Gauff said she did not stay up to watch the game.

"First thing I did this morning was look at the results," Gauff said. "Very relieved. I kind of held my breath."

Butler and Gauff have spoken before and the Heat star attended Gauff's match at the Miami Open in March. Even before the NBA season ended, Butler was exuding confidence in the team's ability to make the NBA Finals despite the odds being stacked against them.

"This was before [the Heat] were in the playoffs. ... He offered me tickets to see the last home game of the [regular] season," Gauff said. "Then he DM'd me a couple weeks later, asking if I wanted more tickets to see the postseason. I said, 'I won't be here. I'll be in Madrid and then Rome and then France."

"And then he said, OK, when we make the Finals, let me know if your family wants some tickets. So, this was before we were even in the playoffs. This is before we lost to the Hawks for the first play-in game. I just felt like I knew that -- everybody is like we have a 3% chance of making the Finals, but when he sent me that, I knew we were making the Finals because he didn't say, 'if we make the Finals,' he said, 'when we make the Finals.'"

Gauff had not shared the interaction prior to the team reaching the Finals. It wasn't the first time Butler made the prediction.

"We had enough, next year we will have enough..."

"We're gonna be right back in this same situation, and we're gonna get it done."

Jimmy Butler EXACTLY 1 year ago today after the Heat were eliminated in the ECF. pic.twitter.com/891Rkdrh3D

— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2023

"But I remember screenshotting it and sending it to my family and I was, like, 'Oh, we're going, we're going to the Finals.'

"He pretty much said we were going to the Finals before [Miami] even qualified for the playoffs, and I just really like that mentality of him."

DENVER -- The Miami Heat are just the second eighth seed in history to reach the NBA Finals, but Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone told his players on Tuesday to throw the seeding out.

Malone says their meeting against the relentless Heat will be the greatest challenge the Nuggets have ever faced.

"You get to the NBA Finals, it's not about seeding anymore," Malone said after practice. "And for those who are thinking that this is going to be an easy series, I don't even know what to say to you people.

"This is going to be the biggest challenge of our lives. This is the NBA Finals. You're trying to win the first NBA championship in franchise history, and it's going to be the hardest thing that we've ever done -- which is the way it should be."

The Nuggets have not played since completing their sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals on May 22. But Tuesday was the first day they could focus their sights on the Heat and how to slow down Jimmy Butler.

After getting by Minnesota's Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns in the first round, Phoenix's Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in the second round and the Lakers' LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the conference finals, the Nuggets have to figure out how to contain Butler.

Butler is averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists and shooting 48.3% from the field. But Malone said Butler is so much more than just stats.

"When I look at Jimmy Butler, what separates him from most players is the drive -- the competitive spirit within him, a relentless attack," Malone said. "It was really cool seeing the press conference they showed from last year when they lost and how everything he talked about in that moment kind of came to fruition a year later, and he has this team back in the Finals.

"What makes Jimmy hard to guard is, we know he's talented, he's big, he's strong, he can get to his spots on the court, but he has the gift of drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. But he's a big-moment player. He's not scared. He's tough. He's relentless, and he's a warrior."

Aaron Gordon has had success defending top scoring options for the Nuggets this postseason. But Gordon said he knows he will have his hands full with Butler if the assignment falls to him. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown could also see time defending Butler.

"Jimmy is a difficult cover for different reasons than the guys I've guarded in the past like KD, LeBron, KAT," Gordon said. "Jimmy does everything. He does all the intangible things. He gets out in transition. He gets cuts. He gets offensive rebounds. He gets backdoors. He gets spinouts. He does a lot of the game within the game, as well as being really skilled. He's a difficult cover.

"Just make it tough for him, play without fouling to the best of my ability and just compete."

In the second round against Phoenix, the Nuggets had trouble slowing Booker, especially in the midrange. Booker averaged 30.8 points, 7.8 assists and 56.9% shooting. But Denver held the Suns scorer to a total of 40 points and a combined 12-for-32 shooting in the final two wins of that series to eliminate Phoenix.

Like Booker, Butler likes to get downhill and do damage in the midrange.

"He's been going crazy," Gordon said. "I don't really set targets for like [how many] points [to hold him to]. I just want to make it as difficult as I possibly can for him all night long for 48, through an entire series.

"Just making everything that he gets tough. Make him work for everything. ... If he gets to his 27 [point] mark but he takes however many shots, it's a win."

Since seeding began in 1984, the Heat are the first eight seed to reach the NBA Finals since the New York Knicks in 1999. But the Nuggets are not underestimating them.

"We've got the utmost respect for them," Gordon said. "They fight and they scrap, and they have no quit in them. They play through 48 minutes a game and more if necessary. They play fearless. They play disciplined. They're well-coached and have some guys that have been there before and have some guys that have chips on their shoulder.

"We're not looking at the seeding or the story around it. This is a very talented basketball team, professional basketball team, and all those guys over there got game. So we respect it."

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob couldn't fathom why Bob Myers -- his general manager and president for the last 12 years -- would decide to step down.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you I understand it because I don't," Lacob said as he sat adjacent to Myers in a news conference at Chase Center on Tuesday.

It had been just about four hours since Myers told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that he would be leaving his position when his contract expires at the end of June.

"But it's really not for me to understand why. I just want him to be happy," Lacob continued.

Myers' decision took a lot of factors into account, including wanting to spend more time with his family. He squashed the notion that it was because of the Warriors' turbulent and mediocre season.

"If the team wins the championship, would you leave? I think, yes," Myers said. He told Wojnarowski it wasn't about money, saying he declined ownership offers on a new deal that would've paid him in the same range as the league's top-earning executives. It's not for a new position waiting for him -- he said he will take a moment to sit still before making his next move.

"The bottom line is, this job, the one I'm in ... requires complete engagement, a complete effort, a thousand percent, and if you can't do it, then you shouldn't do it," Myers said. "So that's the answer to the question of why. I can't do that to our players. I can't do that to Joe and Peter [Guber]. Really, I can't do it to myself. And that's the question I've been wrestling with."

The natural next question the Warriors face is: Where do they go from here?

At Tuesday's news conference, Lacob wouldn't address any clear plans for Myers' successor. But, Lacob is expected to seek more prominent roles for his son, Kirk, an executive vice president of basketball operations, and VP of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy Jr., according to Wojnarowski. The conversations to promote from within -- particularly Dunleavy and the younger Lacob -- have been ongoing for weeks as the team braced for the true possibility that Myers would leave.

"[Dunleavey is] as good a GM, if he wants it, it will be great," Myers said.

"I will say that we do have a very strong organization, and there's a good possibility it could be an internal candidate," Lacob said. "But haven't made a decision, so can't really give you an answer. We are going to work on that."

The plan to promote from within also stems from a possible inability to land an external big-time general manager, as power struggles within the Warriors become an issue, particularly between front office and ownership, sources said. The power dynamic will continue to evolve and become less separated as the Warriors franchise could become more of a family business.

Lacob said he will continue to work with Myers through the end of his contract in late June. However, it is unclear who will take on the lead role during the draft process with the draft taking place on June 22. Myers said he would be operating in a support role.

"We'll make a decision as soon as we can, but I want to make sure that we make the right decision, and if it happens in a week, great. If it happens in a month, great," Lacob said. "We'll make that decision through the natural course, have the right process. I think we are preparing for the draft and free agency and all those things regardless, and we'll be ready."

Whoever is tapped to fill Myers' shoes has a big job waiting for them as the Warriors enter what is the most important offseason the franchise has gone through in recent history.

Draymond Green has a player $27.6 million player option waiting for him which, if he turns down, will make him an unrestricted free agent. Klay Thompson is about to enter the final year of his contract. The same goes for head coach Steve Kerr. And then there is replenishing their depth as they work with an already sky-high salary and new CBA rules that will only make it tougher on them.

"The truth is, we have a lot of work to do," Lacob said. "We are going to win no matter what. I don't care what the rules are. We are going to figure out a way to do it. That's what good organizations do."

The New York Knicks will not extend the contract of general manager Scott Perry, sources told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.

Perry, who was on an expiring contract, worked under president Leon Rose and executive vice president William Wesley this season, as the resurgent Knicks qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the second round. Perry had been general manager since 2017-18.

The Knicks were already among the most intriguing teams of the offseason, and a search for a new general manager only heightens the buzz.

The Knicks do not have a first-round pick this summer, but they have their own first-round choice in the next six drafts, plus four additional first-rounders from prior deals if they want to travel into the trade market. Young stalwarts such as RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Mitchell Robinson could be enticing trade options for teams as well.

Recruiting a star to New York City hasn't exactly been easy (or fruitful) over the past decade. But the assets and players are there, and what remains to be seen is two-fold: Which stars might become available this year, and how much would Knicks management be willing to part with if and when it happens? Questions a new GM will have to now answer.

New York finished 47-35 before defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The Knicks then lost to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in the semifinals.

Newsday first reported the Knicks' decision on Perry.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

"We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury," Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. "When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time."

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

"We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective," Elias said. "It's very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here."

Hicks batted .216 last season.

"Hopefully that's a good thing for him," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. "A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it's a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we're chasing, but hopefully it's a really good fit for him."

Mullins left Monday's loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser -- the fifth pick in the draft two years ago -- is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

"Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric's injury," Elias said. "We'll just see where we're at."

Hicks was active for Tuesday's game but did not play in the 8-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore's left field, was in Mullins' usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

"In this park ... you really need two center fielders," manager Brandon Hyde said. "Aaron's got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting."

SEATTLE -- The New York Yankees placed outfielder Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring injury on Tuesday.

Bader left Monday's series opener in Seattle in the third inning after beating out an infield single. He was replaced by Greg Allen, who started in center field on Tuesday in the Yankees' 10-2 victory.

Bader had an MRI on Tuesday that revealed a low-grade strain, and shortly before the game the Yankees made the move to put him on the injured list.

"Probably be a couple weeks, but we'll see. Obviously, a guy like him really, really relies on the legs," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "It wasn't bad, but enough to know that at least this 10 days are going to be needed."

Bader strained his left oblique muscle during spring training and the Gold Glove center fielder didn't make his season debut until May 3. He is hitting .267 with 6 homers, 19 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.

Franchy Cordero was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Bader's spot.

Bader's injury is yet another setback for the Yankees, who did get some good news on the injury front as Gold Glove catcher Jose Trevino returned to the lineup after missing about two weeks with a hamstring injury. He was 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. New York optioned catcher Ben Rortvedt to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for him.

Anthony Rizzo was out of the lineup for a second straight game due to a stiff neck but said the soreness was improving and expected to be back on the field by Friday at the latest. Boone said he didn't rule out Rizzo returning for Wednesday's series finale against the Mariners, but Friday in Los Angeles seems the more likely target.

Rizzo was hurt in last Sunday's win over San Diego after a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. As the first baseman leaned back to apply the tag, Rizzo collided with Tatis. Rizzo stayed on the ground for a few minutes and headed back to the clubhouse as the Yankees batted.

"It was just a weird play," Rizzo said. "I wasn't expecting the bang-bang like that as far as him coming in standing. Guys usually slide when it's that close. Startled more than anything."

The Yankees also rolled out a star-studded lineup at Double-A Somerset on Tuesday that included Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and right-handed pitcher Tommy Kahnle.

Donaldson went 1-for-4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring, and Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15. Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run, one hit and two walks.

Boone said the hope is Kahnle will join the team in Los Angeles this weekend. He did not have a timeline on Stanton.

"We'll see. Get through today and see where we're at. We'll just kind of listen to him and hear what he has to say after today's game and then we'll continue to make a call on it," Boone said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Diamond Sports Group has decided not to pay the San Diego Padres their latest rights fee, a monumental development that will revert the team's broadcasting rights to Major League Baseball and establish precedent for an uncertain, rapidly evolving landscape.

Diamond, the Sinclair subsidiary that operates under the name Bally Sports, skipped its payment to the Padres a couple of weeks ago and had until the end of its grace period on Tuesday to make the team whole and maintain their long-term agreement. Choosing not to meant Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins was the last Padres game under the Bally Sports umbrella. Moving forward -- starting Wednesday, continuing through the end of the season and resuming in perpetuity -- MLB will air Padres games through its streaming service and on different cable channels.

MLB will provide Padres games through its MLB.TV app for free through Sunday. After that, in-market fans can continue to stream games for $19.99 a month or $74.99 for the rest of the regular season on MLB.com and Padres.com (postseason games air on national platforms). Through this process, Padres games will no longer be subject to blackouts. Local fans can also watch Padres games through a variety of cable providers -- AT&T U-Verse, DirecTV, Cox and Spectrum -- on a different channel. fuboTV will also continue to air Padres games through its platform.

In a release issued late Tuesday night, MLB stated that the new approach would increase the Padres' reach from 1.13 million to about 3.2 million homes within the team's TV territory.

"While we're disappointed that Diamond Sports Group failed to live up to their contractual agreement with the club, we are taking this opportunity to reimagine the distribution model, remove blackouts on local games, improve the telecasts and expand the reach of Padres games by more than 2 million homes," MLB chief revenue officer Noah Garden said in a statement.

In-game, on-air broadcasters -- typically play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo, analyst Mark Grant and on-field reporter Bob Scanlan -- are employed by the Padres and won't be affected. Camera operators, producers and other behind-the-scenes employees are typically outsourced on a freelance basis, a model that MLB will follow. The makeup of the team's pre- and postgame show, however, is still being figured out, according to a source.

"We have been preparing for this groundbreaking moment," Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in a statement. "The Padres are excited to be the first team to partner with Major League Baseball to offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option through MLB.TV without blackouts while preserving our in-market distribution through traditional cable and satellite television providers. Our fans will now have unprecedented access to Padres games through both digital and traditional platforms throughout San Diego and beyond."

Diamond is navigating through bankruptcy proceedings in the wake of significant financial losses that were caused by the debt it incurred from the initial purchase and the accelerated rate of cord cutting throughout the United States. Diamond owns the regional sports networks for 42 teams across the NHL, NBA and MLB, the latter of which comprises 14 teams. Teams who are not paid their rights fees are essentially free to break their contracts, and the Padres, who boast one of the most star-laden teams in the sport, are the first to fall out.

A spokesperson for Diamond Sports Group said in a statement: "While DSG has significant liquidity and has been making rights payments to teams, the economics of the Padres' contract were not aligned with market realities. MLB has forced our hand by its continued refusal to negotiate direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming rights for all teams in our portfolio despite our proposal to pay every team in full in exchange for those rights. We are continuing to broadcast games for teams under our contracts."

But Diamond has paid only half its rights fees to the Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Guardians. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Houston, during which a bankruptcy judge will preside over Diamond's claims that it should essentially pay lesser rights fees to those teams in order to account for the market forces that have diminished the traditional cable model in recent years. The judge's ruling, which might not be made until late Thursday afternoon, will play a big role in Diamond determining which other contracts it keeps or sheds as part of the bankruptcy process.

Sinclair, under the Diamond Sports Group subsidiary, initially paid $10.6 billion to purchase the broadcasting rights for 21 MLB, NHL and NBA teams from Fox in 2019. But the company incurred about $8 billion of debt in order to do so, making it exceedingly vulnerable as the cable model deteriorated within a digital era. An interest-only payment to creditors was skipped on Feb. 15, 2023, triggering the 30-day grace period that spilled into Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, during which Diamond planned to shed its least profitable assets and hope to build a more sustainable business for the long term.

The Padres entered this season with the third-highest payroll in baseball and feature a roster outfitted with stars such as Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts. But Diamond nonetheless claims it was losing tens of millions of dollars by keeping the Padres, due in part to the lack of streaming rights.

Diamond has the streaming rights to only five teams -- the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers and Marlins -- and has stated it needs to secure additional ones in order to prop up its Bally Sports+ app and become more profitable. Diamond proposed continually paying the rights fees for all teams under its umbrella in exchange for those streaming rights but didn't offer additional compensation. MLB, leery of extending more rights to a company that had to file for bankruptcy, has balked at the offer.

MLB has continually stated its desire for Diamond to abide by its contracts with teams, but in the long term the league wants to fit all broadcasting rights under a national umbrella. League executives have been adamant that doing so is the best way to eventually pivot from the traditional cable model, eliminate blackouts that have significantly hindered the sport's reach and ultimately maximize revenues.

The Padres are simply a first step.

"Through the power of Major League Baseball and the Padres, we are working to elevate the game broadcast experience of all Padres fans," Billy Chambers, MLB's executive vice president of local media, said in a statement. "New technology, better picture quality and increased access are just a few of the items we are working on to better tell the story each and every night."

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw says he disagrees with the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to welcome an LGBTQIA+ group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at the team's annual Pride Night.

Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that the team's decision to honor the group after it rescinded its original invitation prompted him to approach the Dodgers about expediting the announcement that the team was bringing back Christian Faith and Family Day later this season.

"I think we were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year, but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up," Kershaw said. "Picking a date and doing those different things was part of it as well. Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence [by the Dodgers]."

Kershaw announced via Twitter last Friday that Christian Faith and Family Day will be held July 30 when the Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds. The last time the Dodgers held it was 2019.

Kershaw, who has been with the organization since being drafted in 2006, said his issues were with the Sisters and not the LGBTQIA+ community. He also added that he will not boycott Pride Night on June 16 when the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants.

"This has nothing to do with the LGBTQ community or Pride or anything like that," said Kershaw, who held a players-only meeting in the clubhouse before Monday's game. "This is simply a group that was making fun of a religion, that I don't agree with."

The Dodgers declined to comment on the situation, according to the Times.

The Dodgers rescinded their original invitation to the Sisters on May 17 after receiving backlash from some conservative Roman Catholics and politicians, including Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who accused the group of mocking nuns and the Christian faith.

However, the Dodgers' decision sparked its own backlash from LGBTQIA+ groups around the country, with some deciding to pull out of Pride Night. The Dodgers reversed their decision five days later and welcomed the group back.

The Sisters, a group of mainly men who dress as nuns, is a charity, protest and performance group that was founded in 1979 in San Francisco. Its Los Angeles chapter will receive the Community Hero Award.

The group denied it was anti-Catholic. On its website, the group said it uses "humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit."

Trevor Williams, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, also criticized the Dodgers on Tuesday, posting a statement on Twitter saying he was "deeply troubled" by the decision.

The Nationals are in Los Angeles this week to face the Dodgers.

"To invite and honor a group that makes a blatant and deeply offensive mockery of my religion, and the religion of over 4 million people in Los Angeles county alone, undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that should be upheld by any organization," Williams wrote on his account to his more than 43,000 followers.

"Creating an environment in which one group feels celebrated and honored at the expense of another is counterproductive and wrong. It is a clear violation of the Dodgers' Discrimination Policy, which explicitly states that any conduct or attire at the ballpark that is deemed to be indecent or prejudice against any particular group (or religion) is not tolerated."

Some athletes have objected to Pride Nights in recent years. Last season, five pitchers with the Tampa Bay Rays cited their Christian faith in refusing to wear Pride jerseys.

Also on Tuesday, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass apologized for expressing support on social media for anti-LGBTQIA+ boycotts of Target and Bud Light.

During the recent NHL regular season, seven players opted out of wearing rainbow-colored jerseys on their teams' Pride nights. The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild did not wear rainbow warm-up jerseys after doing so in previous seasons.

Steve Rankin wins at Raby Castle in our coverage of British endurance running events in recent days

Further results to follow when processed by Power of 10

RABY CASTLE 10km, May 28

Steve Rankin won the men’s race in 35:07 while fourth overall Charlotte Dillon was first woman.

Men:
1 Steve Rankin Sunderland Harriers & AC M35 35:07
2 Bryan Potts Elvet Striders M35 35:58
3 Jamie Wilkinson Middlesbrough & Cleveland Harriers M35 36:30

M55: 1 Wayne Pearson Crook & District AC 36:56

Women:
1 Charlotte Dillon Houghton Harriers & AC 36:47
2 Rebecca Blain Tyne Bridge Harriers 41:10
21 Emma Neil Eden Runners FV35 41:55

SERPENTINE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km, London Hyde Park, May 26

Overall: 1 N Thomas (Fulham) 15:47; 2 C Nicol (TVH, M35) 15:49; 3 F Johnson (HW) 15:52

M50: 1 L Martin (Spring S) 17:03; 2 D Gillett (S Lon) 17:06

M60: 1 S Corfield (SoC) 18:21; 2 D Ogden (S Lon) 18:49

M65: 1 D Pitt (Serp) 20:18

Women: 1 S Cowper (Roth) 17:49; 2 N Sturzaker (Herne H, W45) 18:18; 3 S Swinhoe (Lon Hth, W50) 19:13

W55: 1 A Critchlow (W4H) 19:22; 2 S McDonald (S Lon) 19:34; 3 L Thomas (HW) 21:05
W60: 1 S Davies (B&W) 21:36; 2 L Woolhouse (Vets) 21:46; 3 H Briggs (Serp) 22:59; 4 M Wadman (Horsh J) 23:14; 5 A Davidson (DMV) 23:29
W65: 1 A Riddell (Serp) 24:22; 2 M Connolly (S Kent) 25:19
W70: 1 R Tabor (Dulw) 25:41

HOLT 10km, Norfolk, May 28

Overall:
1 J Orrell (Hunts) 34:07; 2 L Williamson (NNBR) 35:52; 3 D Cross (Stock) 36:06

M55: 1 C Hollinshead (C&S) 37:42

Women:
1 L Finch 38:12; 2 R McKenzie (Stock) 42:17; 3 N Moore (L Goat) 42:54

W55: 1 C Henery (Norw) 46:18

W65: 1 J Yardy (Norw RR) 49:00; 2 A Ellen (Norf G) 49:21

NORTHALLERTON 10km, North Yorkshire, May 28

Three days after helping his Richmond & Zetland club win the North York Moors Relays, Rob Scott took this event in 31:59.

Overall:
1 R Scott (R&Z) 31:59; 2 A Clarke (Herne H) 32:28; 3 L Davies (NE Project) 32:52; 4 J Scott (N York M) 33:35; 5 T O’Mahoney (R&X) 34:32; 6 G Wallace (B’hill) 34:44

M40: 1 D Bentley 34:49

M45: 1 A Croft) 34:46

M50: 1 M Ellis (Quakers) 36:26; 2 T Banks (Elsw) 37:35

M60: 1 S Soulsby (Elvet) 38:31

Women:
1 L Matthews (Stoke) 39:18; 2 A Banks (Elsw, W50) 41:19; 3 A Bambridge 41:53

W50: 2 A Davies (Wake) 43:38

W55: 1 J Masterman (Goole) 45:58

EGDON EASY 10km, Dorset, May 27

Overall:
1 D Cahill (Yeo) 34:04; 2 T Oury (Aldridge, M40) 34:15; 3 J Godden (Poole, M40) 35:30

M55: 1 D Bell (Wimb) 37:59

M60: 1 A Barnett (Poole) 39:36

Women:
1 L Mills (Wok) 39:15; 2 A Hallett (Run T) 40:41; 3 H Martyn (Eg H) 41:49

W50: 1 K Perrett (Wey) 42:08

RUN EXE RELAYS, Exeter, Devon, May 26

The students of Exeter University came out on top with a comfortable enough victory over South West Road Runners, Martin Duff reports.

It was Tom Crockett who put them ahead on the third 4km leg with a race fastest split of 11:22.

It was the same result in the women’s section, but much closer, as Inca Padfield with a fastest split of 13:26 overcame a narrow lead by South West Road Runners to give Exeter University their second win of the evening.

Further down the field, Cathy Newman shone for Exmouth Harriers’ women. The former women’s AAAs 1987 5000m champion firstly ran the first over-60 leg for her club in 14:49, before later anchoring her W50 colleges to third with a 15:31 split.

Men (4x4km): 1 Exeter Uni 48:20 (D Poynting 12:06, M James 12:49, T Crockett 11:22, D Coombes 12:03): 2 SWRR 50:00 (A Crump 12:53; J Pullinger 12:34, G Davies 12:51, O Thorogood 11:42); 3 Exmouth 50:02 (R Ellis 12:30, O White 12:34, L Kelly 13:03, S Kelly 11:55); 4 Exeter Uni B 50:32; 5 Connect Plus Tri 51:49; 6 Axe Valley 52:49

Fastest: Crockett 11:22; Thorogood 11:42; S Kelly 11:55

M40 (4x4km): 1 Axe V 53:53 (M Frost 13:56, M Orsman 13:36, R Durrant 12:56, J Broom 12:21); 2 SWRR 53:59 (E Pickering 13:32, J benham 13:32, N Bruce-White 13:25, J Howard 13:30); 3 Exmouth 56:07

Fastest: Broom 12:21

M50 (4x4km): 1 Dawlish 64:53 (N Little 16:20, S Gloyn 18:16, Z Steers 15:17, A McMillan 15:00); 2 Teignbridge 65:04; 3 Exeter Tri 70:41

M60 (4x4km): 1 Axe V 68:34

Fastest: I Kinnersley (Axe V) 16:03

Fastest: McMillan 15:00; Gloyn 15:17; D Knight (Teign) 15:41

U17 (4x4km): 1 Exeter H 51:51 (L Stannus 12:48, R Dafforn 12:49, B Perry 13:05, M Falle 13:09; 2 Exeter H B 55:56

Fastest: Stannus 12:48

Women (4x4km): 1 Exeter Uni 56:17 (M Edwards 13:55, E Powell 14:32, M Porter 14:24, I Padfield 13:26); 2 SWRR 56:29 (N Small 13:43, A Jones 14:32, V Hill 14:34, R Mew 13:31); 3 Tavistock 58:09 (E Ryder 13:54, S Lake 14:58, J Grey 15:16, N Kelly 14:01); 4 Exeter Uni B 59:33; 5 Teignbridge 61:50; 6 Exmouth 61:58

Fastest: Padfield 13:26; Mew 13:31; Ryder 13:54

W40 (4x4km): 1 Axe V 66:22 (K Eyre 16:54, K Board 16:55, L Jones 17:50, M Harrison 17:26); 2 SWRR 66:50 (P Davies 16:05, T Connor 18:02, L Reynolds 16:49, S Tosh 15:54); 3 Greenbow 79:18

Fastest: Tosh 15:54; P Davies 16:05; Reynolds 16:49

W50 (4x4km): 1 Teignbridge 70:20 (M Wheeler 16:44, K Steemson 17:37, R Steel 18:25, J Woon 17:34); 2 SWRR 77:46; 3 Exmouth 79:50

Fastest: C Newman (Ex’mth) 15:31

W60 (4x4km): 1 Exmouth 74:31

Fastest: C Newman (Ex’mth) 14:49

U17 (4x4km): 1 Torbay & Newton Abbott 58:34 (S Muscott 14:43, O Lindgreen 14:50, E Richards 1511, P Quinn 13:50)

Fastest: Quinn 13:50

NORTH YORK MOORS RELAYS, Middlesbrough, May 25

Marc Scott led the first leg for Richmond & Zetland with a 4:24 split that proved to be the fastest overall, but his quartet were then passed, on the fourth and final stage, by another foursome from their club.

Men (4x1M): 1 Richmond 18:31 (J Reeve 4;28, R Scott 4:42, C Stephenson 4:38, C Gibson 4:43); 2 Richmond B18:38; 3 Mandale 18:46

Fastest: M Scott (Rich B) 4:24; M Ben-Tiba 4:25; G Jayasuriya (M&C)/Reeve 4:28; J Stephenson (Rich B) 4:36; C Stephenson 4:38

M50 (4x1M): 1 NYM 20:51 (P McClean 5:12, D Watkins 5:15, A Tatham 5:04, A Adderley 5:20): 2 Richmond 20:57; 3 Darlington 21:33

Fastest: C Jones (R&Z) 4:49; Clifford (Darl) 5:03; Tatham 5:04; D Spencer (R&Z) 5:08; P Gilsenan (Darl) 5:11; McLean 5:12

Women (4x1M): 1 Darlington 22:10 (Z Jones 5:21, S Tarn 5:40, F Talman 5:47, M Kelly 5:22); 2 Allerton Juniors 23:00; 3 Stockton 24:04

Fastest: Jones 5:21; Kelly 5:22

W40 (4x1M): 1 Darlington 24:16 (A Picksworth 5:54, B Forrest 6:27, B Caygill 6:00, L Talman 5:55); 2 NYM 24:18; 3 NYM B 25:58

Fastest: S Hunter (NYM) 5:53; Picksworth 5:54; S Bulman (NYM)/Talman 5:55

CHASE THE SUN 10km & 5km, Hyde Park, London, May 24

Overall (10km):
1 M McCarthy (M40) 33:42; 2 M O’Sullivan (Harrow) 34:45; 3 S Farmer (M45) 34:49

M55: 1 S Townsend (Dac) 38:22

Women:
1 K O’Malley 37:34; 2 G Holden 41:08; 3 G Palazzi 43:22

Overall (5km):
1 O Garrod (S Lon) 15:24; 2 J Blaiklock 15:58; 3 H Mills 16:38

Women:
1 K Thornton (High) 19:09; 2 L Baston (Baildon) 19:21; 3 L McGillivray (Ruislip, W40) 21:42

W50: 1 M Audhlam-Gardiner (High) 22:10

LEVENS 10km, Kendal, May 24

Overall:
1 P Stock (Helm H) 33:34; 2 F Barker (Amble) 34:26; 3 B Proctor (Leven, M40) 35:35

Women:
1 H Gordon (Amble) 43:28; 2 A Pearman (Kendal, W40) 44:30; 3 K Bridge (Eden, W50) 45:04

WESHAM SUMMER 10km, Preston, Lancashire, May 24

Salford’s Eleanor Bolton was fifth overall in 35:05

Overall:
1 A Wilding (Wesh) 34:03; 2 S Hall (B’burn, M45) 34:54; 3 M Crichton 34:57

M50: 1 N Gaskill (B’burn) 35:00

Women:
1 E Bolton (Salf) 35:05; 2 J Robinson (Preston, W35) 38:10; 3 A Braithwaite (P’wich, W35) 39:33

DUNHAM MASSEY 5km, Altrincham, May 23

Overall:
1 A Dight (Vale R) 15:39; 2 M Cooper (Traff) 15:53; 3 M Devin (Chorl) 16:14

M50: 1 B Archbold (Wilm) 17:19; 2 T Store (Lymm) 17:44

M70: 1 A Qatts (Wilm) 22:03; 2 P Pickwell (Alt) 22:09

M75: 1 A Jenkinson (Styal) 27:53

Women:
1 M Reece (Wilm, W40) 18:38; 2 J Rosenberg (Alt, W45) 18:49; 3 S Maule (Alt) 20:54

W50: 1 H Smith (Vale R) 20:58; 2 S Harrison (Wilm) 21:21; 3 J Reynolds (Sale) 22:39; 4 L Marsden (Swint) 22:40; 5 J Ellis (Wilm) 22:43

W55: 1 T Bown (Wilm) 22:22

W60: 1 J Cordingley (Sale) 21:40; 2 K Suitton (Wilm) 22:27

W65: 1 A Jones (Macc) 24:08

THRUXTON 10km, Hampshire, May 23

Overall:
1 A Rudge (And) 35:04; 2 A McKinnon (And, M40) 35:15; 3 J Sherman (Shinfield, M50) 36:26

M50: 2 M Webber (And) 37:50; 3 M Grantham 37:58

Women:
1 J Goulding (Pewsey, W50) 52:44

MOTA-VATION SERIES Race 2, Bletchington, Oxfordshire, May 26

It was all change at the front as Matthew Lock overturned his defeat by Mattieu Marshall in the opening race of the series, Martin Duff reports.

Nevertheless, it was a close-run thing as these two evenly matched runners finished within a few seconds of each other. Lock, the series champion last year, ran the 4-miles, 451 yards in 21:50.

Lieben Dickens moved up from second in the opening race of the series to take the women’s section in 25:39.

Overall (5M 451yds):
1 M Lock (Wit) 21:50; 2 M Marshall (Head RR) 21:57; 3 G Roberts (Oxf C) 22:15; 4 J Beech (Abing) 22:54; 5 P Fernandez (Abing, M40) 23:01; 6 A Herbert (Cher) 23:32

M40: 2 M Hill (Oxf C) 23:45

M45: 1 K Newell (Abing) 23:45

M50: 1 J Bolton (W’stock) 24:06; 2 F Campbell (Head RR) 25:10

M55: 1 B Reynolds (THH) 24:36

M60: 1 M Lewy (Abing) 27:32

M65: 1 B Green (Oxf C) 26:49

M70: 1 S Thorp (Oxf C) 30:28; 2 K Byrne (Head RR) 32:51; 3 G Le Good (Cher) 33:33

M75: 1 G Pritchard (Banb) 40:04; 2 D Parsons (Oxf C) 41:05

U20: 1 J Davies (Oxf C) 23:25

TEAM (6 to score): 1 Abingdon 80; 2 Head RR 120; 3 Alchester 141; 4 Oxford C 160; 5 Witney 202; 6 Woodstock 270; 7 Head RR B 320; 8 Cherwell 345

Standings after 2 matches:
TEAM: 1 Abingdon 148; 2 Head RR 281; 3 Oxford C 302; 4 Alchester 322; 5 Witney 352; 6 Woodstock 515; 7 Cherwell 595; 8 Eynsham 678

Women: 1 L Dickens (Radley) 25:39; 2 R Blake (Oxf C) 26:09; 3 A Scrivens (Wit, W35) 26:15; 4 C True (Alch) 26:48; 5 M Bannister (Kid) 27:07; 6 T Woods (Head RR) 27:25

W45: 1 S Rendell (Abing) 27:47; 2 S Davies (Oxf C) 29:03

W50: 1 L Holland (Wit) 32:38;

W55: 1 C Curnow (Cher) 32:15; 2 D Osborne (Cher) 32:29; 3 S Curswell (W’stock) 32:30

W60: 1 G Morris (Eynsh) 32;35

W65: 1 J Fabes (Abing) 32:58; 2 W Millatt (Abing) 35:38

TEAM (6 to score): 1 Head RR 74; 2 Alchester 125 3 3 Head RR B 165; 4 Banbury 220; 5 Witney 231; 6 Cherwell 266; 7 Head RR C 270; 8 Eynsham 327

Standings after 2 matches:

TEAM: 1 Head RR 152; 2 Alchester 271; 3 Head RR B 356; 4 Banbury 402; 5 Witney 457; 6 Cherwell 549; 7 Head RR C 612; 8 Abingdon 631

EMGP Banbury 5, Oxfordshire, May 23

The hosts’ Skip Nelson took the second race in the series with a near 100 yards victory in 24:45, Martin Duff reports.
Hayden Arnell, the winner of the opening event the previous week took second as Rachell Doherty took the women’s section in 30:17.

Overall:
1 S Nelson (Banb) 24:45; 2 H Arnall (R&N) 25:02; 3 D Brewis (Sphinx) 26:19; 4 J Chennell (Hatb) 26:56

M40: 1 D Ball (R&N) 27:15; 2 A Siggers (R&N) 27:29

M45: 1 J Wayland (W’boro) 27:49; 2 S Marks (R&N) 28:22; 3 S Turnock (Bucks & Stowe) 28:52

M50: 1 P Langer (Sphinx) 29:23; 2 P West (Kett) 29:27; 3 C Bell (North Tri) 29:32

M55: 1 T Letts (Northampton) 30:26; 2 A Green (Northants Tri) 30:42

M60: 1 T Hughes (Leic C) 29:46

M65: 1 J Chapman (Stops) 34:38

M70: 1 J Skelton (Mil K) 33:20; 2 R Searle (Kett) 35:33; 3 S Knennas (R&N) 36:23

TEAM: 1 R&N 1:47:56; 2 Banbury 1:53:53; 3 Bucks & Stowe 1:55:50

M40 TEAM: 1 R&N 1:52:54; 2 Wellingborough 1:59:54; 3 Bucks & Stowe 2:01:13

Women:
1 R Doherty (Higham) 30:17; 2 K Barnett (Dav) 30:19; 3 R Cooke (Bucks & Stowe, W50) 31:39; 4 F Molossi-Murphy (W’boro) 31:44

W40: 1 H Gibbs (Shenly) 32:46

W45: 1 Z Kemp (Human E) 32:21; 2 S Ghisu (Bucks & Stowe) 34:09

W55: 1 S Davies (Higham) 34:32

W60: 1 K Bond (Dav) 37:00

W75: 1 A Copson (R&N) 41:12

TEAM (3 to score): 1 Bucks & Stowe 1:40:22; 2 R&N 1:45:46; 3 Wootton RR 1:53:15

W35 TEAM: 1 Bucks & Stowe 1:40:22; 2 Wootton RR 1:53:15; 3 R&N 1:54:20

BLAST AT THE MEADOWS 5km, Edinburgh, May 23

Overall: 1 M Ryan (PH Racing, M40) 17:03; 2 B Davie (C’gie, M45) 18:29; 3 J Murray (Gars, M45) 19:52

Women: 1 K McIntosh (Dund RR) 19:58; 2 L Calder (Edin, W40) 21:45; 3 F Atkinson (No running club) 23:24

YORK AND DISTRICT SUMMER 10km LEAGUE, Easingwold, May 23

Overall: 1 J Howe (York PH) 32:09; 2 J Eaton (Tadcaster, M40) 33:38; 3 J Firth (Tadcaster) 33:52

Women: 1 B Penty (Knaves, W35) 36:46; 2 J Rawes (Knaves) 37:27; 3 R Mather (Knaves) 37:34

W65: 1 K Dickinson (Knaves) 47:20

TRUNDLE VIEW MT, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex, May 24

Overall (5M hilly):
1 L Briscoe (Fitt) 29:05; 2 H Alcock (Hay H, U20) 30:14; 3 N Hutchison (Worth) 30:25

Women:
1 L Bourne (Hove) 34:52; 2 N Haarer (Chich R) 36:31; 3 F Cripps (Chich R, W45) 37:26

TRUNCE SERIES, Oxspring, Sheffield, May 22

Overall (4.25M/550ft):
1 M Jones (Dark Pk) 26:04; 2 R Cottam (P’stone FPR, M40) 27:17; 3 M Catchpole 27:17; 4 A Turner (W’sop) 27:38; 5 J Wade (Dark Pk) 27:55; 6 D Wainer (Askern) 28:04; 7 M Gilford 28:21; 8 R Gill (Tues) 28:27

M50: A Frost (Dark Pk) 28:55

M60: S Bennett (Bowl) 33:26

M70: K Yewlett (Holm) 37:53

Women:
1 S Evans (Steel) 31:47; 2 E Bullock-Lynch (Dark Pk|) 33:27; 3 Ellie Crownshaw (Bradf) 34:31; 4 S Cromwell (Holm) 34:42; 5 J Wilson (Hallam, W50) 35:01

W60: A Middleton (Denb DT) 41:16

W70: B Hague (P’stone FPR) 49:19

U16 (2M/250ft approx):
1 T Kunicki-Holda (P’stone FPR) 12:45; 2 E Reed 12:56; 3 E Frost (Dark Pk, W) 13:52

U16 women:
1 Frost 13:52; 2 S Ellis (Denb DT) 15:10; 3 B-M Minichello (Dark Pk) 16:08

HUTTON ROOF CRAGS FELL RACE, Kirkby Lonsdale, May 17

Overall (7M/1300ft):
1 A Norman (Alt, M40) 50:42; 2 E Bland (Bowl) 50:44; 3 M Likeman (C‘land F, M40) 51:41; 4 J Concha (Helm H) 53:45; 5 A Osborne (Calder V, M40) 54:16; 6 P Mather (Lons) 55:25; 7 D Clarke (Bowl) 55:38; 8 J Addison (Helm H) 56:13

M50: R Lawrence (Bing) 58:49

M60: D Griffin (Helm H) 63:25

M70: I Smith (Ribb) 82:45

TEAM: 1 Helm H 22; 2 Bowl 24; 3 C’land F) 49

Women:
1 V Wilkinson (Bing, W40) 56:51; 2 P Addison 58:05; 3 R Pilling (P&B, W40) 63:31; 4 N Russell (Bowl, W40) 70:27; 5 C Cullinane (Helm H, W50) 70:54

W60: S Budgett (Horw) 78:47

TEAM: 1 Helm H 27; 2 C’land F 32; 3 Bing 55